1973 NBA All-Star recap

NBA.com Staff

Aug 24, 2017 12:47 AM ET

EAST 104, WEST 84, at Chicago StadiumATTENDANCE: 17,527MVP: Dave Cowens

At Chicago Stadium in the 1973 All-Star Game, Dave Cowens stepped out of the shadow of Celtics teammate John Havlicek and took center stage. Cowens, who, with Havlicek, led the Celtics to the East's best record in 1972-73, had 15 points and 13 rebounds in the East's 104-84 win as he was named MVP. Havlicek finished with 14 points and the Knicks' Dave DeBusschere was solid (nine points, seven rebounds) all-around, but the night belonged to Cowens and his gritty style of play, which set the tone for the East's romp.

Wilt Chamberlain, in his All-Star finale, started the game for the West and finished with one of his worst stat lines (two points, seven rebounds, three assists) ever. He left as the All-Star Game's leader in games played (13), minutes played (388) and rebounds (197), though his marks in games and minutes played were eventually surpassed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He also set single-game All-Star records for points (42 in 1962), field goals made (17 in 1962) and free throw attempts (16 in 1962).

Though this was the first All-Star game in the "Second City", there were plenty of firsts worth noting. Lenny Wilkens appeared in his first (and only) All-Star Game as a member of the Cavaliers. Pete Maravich, a five-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer, made his All-Star debut with the Atlanta Hawks. So too did Bill Bradley, a Hall of Fame guard for the Knicks. Elvin Hayes, a staple of the West All-Star team during his days in San Diego and Houston, made his first appearance on the East team as a member of the Baltimore Bullets.

Tiny Archibald made two "firsts" in the 1973 All-Star Game: it was his first of six career All-Star apperances and he was the first All-Star for the Kings -- a franchise formerly known as the Cincinnati Royals -- during their inaugural season in Kansas City-Omaha.

Finally, Nate Thurmond and Rick Barry were All-Stars again for the Warriors -- the first such All-Stars for the franchise since moving to Oakland (and being renamed Golden State) before the 1971-72 season.